TOPIC 5. General considerations
As mentioned in the previous chapter for conduct a good physical
examination we need to follow the assessment guidelines:
1. INSPECTION by means of all senses
2. PALPATION, light (1cm) and deep (5-8cm x 2-3’’)
3. PERCUSSION for assess sounds produced by striking
body surface and consistency of lesions and organs
4. AUSCULTATION, direct with sounds normally audible
and indirect by means of a stethoscope.
Then a general consideration is done, starting by the following
signs: consciousness and psyche, posture and body-built.
This is done ‘head to toe’, lateral to lateral, proximal to distal, and
front to back. The objective is to look at the appearance
(orientation, sexual development, signs of acute distress), the body
structure and mobility (weight, eight, BMI, gait, joint’s mobility)
and the behavior (speech, eye contact, cooperation).
Deviations from what would generally be considered to be normal
or expected should be documented and may require further
evaluation or action.
General state (general considerations) of a patient can be
estimated in the following degrees of assessment:
- grave (serious) condition of the patient,
- state of moderate severity
-satisfactory state of the patient.
The general condition of the patient can be only partly evaluated
from the information given by the patient.
State of patient's health and general condition of the patient are not
the same.
